Proposing a Solution

1. Proposing a Solution Chapter 15: Allyn and Bacon Textbook

2. Types of Proposals • Practical Proposal: • Focuses on local, practical problems • Targets a specific audience • Policy Proposal: • Addresses public issues with the hopes of swaying public support towards the writer’s proposed solution.

3. Exploring Proposal Writing • Samples questions to assist you in the thinking process: • Why is problem important? • For whom is the problem a problem? • Who will suffer if the problem is not solved? • How can the problem be solved? What solution can be proposed? • What are the benefits of the problem solution proposal? • Why should this proposal be enacted? • What makes this proposal better than others already proposed?

4. Exploring Proposal Writing • Proposal Argument Outline • Describe problem and its significance. • Propose your solution • Justify your proposal by showing the benefits

5. Understanding Proposal Writing All proposal writing have one thing in common, they offer a solution to a problem, they are always alternative solutions, including doing nothing. Your task is to convince the reader that problem is worth solving and that your proposal will actually work.

6. Understanding Proposal Writing • Proposal argument have three main parts: • Description of the problem • You must demonstrate that a significant problem exists. • You must make the problem vivid and real for your reader • Who is affected by problem? • What are its causes? • Why hasn’t it been solved before? • What are the negative consequences of the problem not being solved?

7. Understanding Proposal Writing • Proposal for Solution • Describe your solution • Show how it will work • Justification • You must persuade your audience that your proposal must be enacted • Show benefits of your proposaland how it is better than alternative • Point out how other approaches would not solve problem.

8. Developing and Effective Justification Section Generally three strategies approaches are used: principles, consequences, and precedents or analogies.

9. Strategies for Developing Justification Section Principle Argues what action should (should not) be taken because it is right or wrong according to some value, assumption, principle, or belief you share with your audience.

10. Strategies for Developing Justification Section Consequences Argues that action should (should not) take place because doing so will lead to consequences that your audience may think are good (or bad).

11. Strategies for Developing Justification Section Precedent of Analogy Argues that action should (should not) take place because doing so is similar to what was done I another case, which turned out well (or badly).

12. Shaping and Drafting • Introduction • Presents and describes a problem that needs solving • Give background including previous attempts to solve problem • Argue that the problem is solvable. • Presentation of the Proposed Solution • States the solution succulently • Explains the specific of the solution

13. Shaping and Drafting • Justification • Persuades readers that proposal should be implemented • Presents and Develops Reasons 1, 2, and so forth • Reasons to support the proposed solution are argued from principle, consequences, and precedent/analogy

14. Shaping and Drafting Summary/Rebuttal of Oppossing View Policy: Present opposing view(s) Rebuts opposing view(s) Practical: Presents alternative solution(s) Explains why alternative solution(s) are inferior Conclusion Ask readers to act

15. Peer Review Turn to page 397 in book